The Bravados (1958)

A man is chasing four outlaws who killed his wife and finds them in a small town's jail, but they escape to Mexico.

Director:

Henry King

Writers:

Philip Yordan (screenplay), Frank O'Rourke (novel)

Stars:

Gregory Peck, Joan Collins, Stephen Boyd

1 win & 1 nomination.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Gregory Peck	...	Jim Douglass
Joan Collins	...	Josefa Velarde
Stephen Boyd	...	Bill Zachary
Albert Salmi	...	Ed Taylor
Henry Silva	...	Leandro Lujan
Kathleen Gallant	...	Emma Steinmetz
Barry Coe	...	Tom
George Voskovec	...	Gus Steinmetz
Herbert Rudley	...	Sheriff Eloy Sanchez
Lee Van Cleef	...	Alfonso Parral
Andrew Duggan	...	Padre
Ken Scott	...	Primo - Deputy Sheriff
Gene Evans	...	John Butler
Ninos Cantores de Morelia Choral Group	...	Choir (as The Niños Cantores De Morelia Choral Group)

Storyline

Jim Douglass (Gregory Peck) has been relentlessly pursuing the four outlaws who murdered his wife, but finds them in jail about to be hanged. While he waits to witness their execution, they escape; and the townspeople enlist Douglas' aid to recapture them.

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Plot Keywords:

revenge | rape | outlaw gang | chase | based on novel | 

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Taglines:

Spectacularly filmed against the timeless magnificence and ageless wonders of Mexico!

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Genres:

Drama | Western

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Certificate:

Approved

Did You Know?

Trivia

Joan Collins appears here nine years before iconic guest starring role on 'Star Trek: The Original Series' in the episode 'City On The Edge Of Forever.'

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Goofs

When the first gang member lies in ambush, he is seen crawling past a large green shrub and behind broken blades of dry grass. After he is spotted by Jim Douglass and the camera cuts back to him, the exact same shot is repeated as though it is happening further along in the story.

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Quotes

Sheriff Sanchez: Ladies and gentlemen, there's no need for me to tell you - the emergency arose and the man appeared. Mr Douglass, it's not often a man gets to do so much for his neighbors and do it like you did. We want you to know we'll always be grateful... and in our hearts always.
Jim Douglass: Thank you... and in your prayers, please.

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Connections

Featured in 20th Century-Fox: The First 50 Years (1997)

User Reviews

Questioning your own judgements....

I think I saw this movie many years ago as a youngster ( I was born in 1952). I also, during the course of the movie on AMC, read a few reviews on IMBd and either due to one or two of the reviews or my previous viewing, I knew what was coming at the end. But it was still an emotional jolt. I agree with a couple of reviews, that the very end seemed sweetened up somewhat, but I went through a period in my 20's and 30's when I had grown overly cynical and didn't like 'unrealistic' endings. I have changed somewhat. I can enjoy both 'types' of movies and endings now, I believe. I am more discerningly cynical now, I hope. Where something really smells like manipulation for the wrong reasons or for greed, I trust my doubts and cynicism to kick in. 'The Bravados' deserves your trust simply because it shows a universal human weakness among terrible, heart-wrenching circumstances in a somewhat 'realistic' setting. Luck plays too big a part at times for the hero (Gregory Peck with great screen presence) during the chase. But if you disagree with his conclusions about his own actions at the end...think again.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Spanish

Release Date:

1 August 1958 (West Germany)

Also Known As:

The Bravados

Filming Locations:

Yucatán, Mexico

Company Credits

Production Co:

Twentieth Century Fox

Technical Specs

Runtime:

98 min

Sound Mix:

4-Track Stereo (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Color (Color by Deluxe)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1